This weekend I started to think about all the things I have done this year (some highs, and a LOT of lows) and realized that I have not updated this since February. Here is the long and short of the last nine months.
New Bike & An Accident
On April 14th, my birthday, I got a new bike. **Major HIGHLIGHT of the YEAR!** On April 25th I was hit by a car while riding my bike on a back country road. **Major LOWLIGHT of the YEAR** I was hit by a sideview mirror at what the driver reported, as 43 mph. I still have a scar from the impact of the mirror on my leg. My first question to the driver when he pulled over... "Is my bike okay?" A lot of pain meds later and I am still waiting for his insurance to cover my bills. I just hired a lawyer, so I can't say much more about this right now.
Also in April, my relationship of over four years came to an end. There's not really much to say about it since it was seven months ago. We live and learn...
Also in April, my relationship of over four years came to an end. There's not really much to say about it since it was seven months ago. We live and learn...
I named her 'Monsoon' because it always rained when I would go out and ride. I LOVE this bike!
Ironman Raleigh 70.3
May 31st, I completed Ironman Raleigh 70.3. My training was all screwed up after the accident, but come hell or high water I was finishing what I started. At this moment, as I reflect on the last year, I realize that I have a habit of not finishing most of the things I start. I would make a list here, but that doesn't help me fix anything. I have a list on paper that I made the other day and I look at it and think, "What gets in the way? What happens to your motivation?" This is a place for some serious personal development. Moving right along...
At the end of the school year I was told I wouldn't be teaching kindergarten anymore. I had asked to be moved to 1st or 2nd grade and was horrified when I was told I would be in 3rd. I honestly didn't know if I would stay at school. It wasn't until a couple weeks before school started that I decided to stay. Mostly because finding another job is such a pain in the ass. I'm making it work for now.
Summer Job
In June, I got a part time job at Babits Bikes. I became friends with the owner earlier in the year. He needed some help over the summer, and I wanted some experience with bike maintenance, so it worked out for both of us. I met a lot of new people in the cycling and triathlon world which was also exciting.
Oh yeah, I also dyed my hair BLACK. New me, new attitude, deal with it!
Oh yeah, I also dyed my hair BLACK. New me, new attitude, deal with it!
First Ink!
July was uneventful, minus the sprint triathlon from the Rex Series. I wish I would have blogged about it then, as I don't remember much of the race now... I can tell you that July was very hot, and I spend the majority of it with bike grease on my hands and clothes :-) OH!!! And I got my first tattoo!! Ironman logo, half filled (because I did a half Ironman) with a chainring around it. I LOVE IT) Thank you Brian Lee at Lee House in Greenville, NC for this!
A Broken Heart
And now for some sadness....
August was the beginning of the end. Justus, my best friend on four paws, was diagnosed with diabetes. In February I did an interview with the local TV station about Justus and his battle with liver disease after eating tainted dog food (Thanks a lot Purina!) In the interview, I cried when I mentioned that I didn't know what I would do without him and that the damage to his liver was done and all we could do was try to maintain his levels, which we were failing at. Justus was declining quickly towards the end of August and I cried every day, not knowing how much longer I would have him. His liver was getting worse, and his kidneys were started to lose function. My heart was shattering...
August was the beginning of the end. Justus, my best friend on four paws, was diagnosed with diabetes. In February I did an interview with the local TV station about Justus and his battle with liver disease after eating tainted dog food (Thanks a lot Purina!) In the interview, I cried when I mentioned that I didn't know what I would do without him and that the damage to his liver was done and all we could do was try to maintain his levels, which we were failing at. Justus was declining quickly towards the end of August and I cried every day, not knowing how much longer I would have him. His liver was getting worse, and his kidneys were started to lose function. My heart was shattering...
September... Things got real at this point. I started a GoFundMe account, trying to help raise money for Justus' vet bills that were piling up. I raised $1,000 which put a small dent in what I owed. (I currently owe $2,400) On September 11th, I lost my heart. For two weeks, Justus spend almost every day at the vet so they could monitor him. On this day, his tongue started to turn gray. I knew it was the end. His liver and kidneys were shutting down. It was time to end his suffering. I look back and I still cant believe how quickly things turned. I laid on the floor next to him in the vets office and told him I loved him, that I would miss him, that I would help another dog who needed me, that I wouldn't hurt myself, and that I would make him proud. I also told him one more thing... I told him I would do an Ironman by the end of 2016. Originally my plan was to do one in two years, but as I laid on the floor looking into his eyes, I could see him ask me, "What are you waiting for?" What am I waiting for? Anything could happen in two years. We are never promised tomorrow, so why plan for something two years down the road? The goal is Ironman Maryland 2016. I am part of their Facebook group and we already have a count down going... 45 weeks until race day.
A Healing Heart
In October I adopted a new dog. She looks a lot like Justus. Some people have a hard time adopting a pet that looks like a pet from the past. In my opinion, it feels like he is still here and lives through her. Out of the corner of my eye, I think it's him sometimes. She has helped to heal my heart in a way I never thought possible. She has survived the impossible. She spent the majority of her 6 year life at the end of a chain. She has the scars on her neck to prove it. She was brought into a foster home in October where she was attacked by three dogs and was nearly killed in the process. She spent a couple weeks in and out of the vets office and I watched as her story unfolded and thought, "I'm getting her in reverse of how I lost Justus." I knew when the right dog came along I would know it. I just didn't expect it to be so soon after saying goodbye to Justus.
Well that pretty much catches you up on the highlights of the year. I have purposely left out more of the lowlights as many are personal and I would rather focus on the good. The lesson here? Things are not perfect. Don't envy someone no matter how good you think they have it because it's likely they are leaving out the lows... Live your life, enjoy your life, and learn from your mistakes. I know things could be worse, but I am not without my faults.
Well that pretty much catches you up on the highlights of the year. I have purposely left out more of the lowlights as many are personal and I would rather focus on the good. The lesson here? Things are not perfect. Don't envy someone no matter how good you think they have it because it's likely they are leaving out the lows... Live your life, enjoy your life, and learn from your mistakes. I know things could be worse, but I am not without my faults.
My tattoo in memory of Justus :-)
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